Ignore the Hype: The NEXT Biggest Fashion Show

Some of the talent from Ignore the Hype, NEXT’s fashion show, premiering on Thursday. NEXT is a newly formed student group that is making its debut with this fashion show.

NEXT, a new organization to Youngstown State University’s campus, is putting on a fashion show in combination with an open mic night titled Ignore the Hype on Thursday in the Chestnut Room in Kilcawley Center from 6-8 p.m.

“We are a new group; we just became into existence last semester,” Monette Woolen, NEXT member and fashion director, said.

Since it is the group’s first official year, this is the first show put on by NEXT. Before, it was put on by the Black Student Union.

“I came up with the name because I wanted everyone to expect something new from this show, from the models and from the talent we have,” Woolen said. “I didn’t want it to seem like the same typical people would be used in this show.”

The show has four sections — 80s, 90s, pinup and a section called Revamp.

“Revamp is when we take an old piece of clothing and put our own style to it or turn it into something else,” Woolen said.

In between each section, some of the group’s talent will perform by rapping, singing and even dancing. Some of the talent includes artists such as Jarod, Kewlz, Zion, Nuance Band, Matty C, Big Thurm and NEXT dance and drill team.

Kiara Lee, a member of NEXT and the treasurer, said the group has put a ton of hard work into this show, working diligently along its journey.

“Our organization caters to the artistic, and helping them to enhance their skill — whether they sing, dance or design,” Lee said. “We have been working on this show since the beginning of the semester, and we decided to do a fashion show because it suits our organization.”

Eric Cooper, the president of NEXT, said the incorporation of the talent in-between sections helps the models out by giving them more time to change outfits. Cooper also included that some of the fashion is made by the models this year.

“Our goal is to allow YSU students to showcase their talents in a more professional setting,” Lee said. “So, this semester we choose a fashion show so that our fashion design students are able to showcase their talents.”

Deonte Tarver, artistic director in NEXT, is in charge of the drill teams and further assisting in for like events.

“Although I am not a runway coach nor expert in fashion, I have had the pleasure — over the last month — of teaching this group of people about character, confidence and attitude — attributes that both my dancers and steppers have,” Tarver said.

The models and dancers in Ignore the Hype are all YSU students, some in NEXT and some just interested in being involved with the event.

“I taught them that there is a science and an art to modeling, and that in order to have fun they must first master the science behind it — as one must for any activity,” Tarver said. “As a collective, I can definitely say they have come a long way!”